Temple demolition VCD out
Andrew OngPublished: Feb 1, 2007 3:45 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Fifty thousand copies of a documentary on the demolition of Hindu temples by state authorities are being distributed to temple goers performing their religious duties during the current Thaipusam celebrations.
Fifty thousand copies of a documentary on the demolition of Hindu temples by state authorities are being distributed to temple goers performing their religious duties during the current Thaipusam celebrations.
Titled 'Hindu Temple Demolitions by Malaysian Government: The Struggle', the 52-minute documentary with English subtitles is produced by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
Since yesterday, the documentary has been distributed in VCD-format in Batu Caves, where more than a million Hindu devotees are expected to turn up over the weekend to carry out religious rites.
The VCD will also be distributed by volunteers at major Hindu temples in every state in Peninsula Malaysia except Terengganu and Perlis.
Truth on video
"The purpose of the documentary is for people to find out the truth on such demolitions and allow them to draw their own conclusion," said Hindraf president P Waythamoorthy
The footage includes confrontation between authority figures and Hindus trying to prevent their temples from being demolished - one of which results in a devotee being bloodied in a scuffle.
The video gives viewers a rare glimpse into how local authorities, sometimes with help from the police, tear down Hindu temples usually on the reason that the structures were 'squatters'.
For more than a year, Hindraf has argued that such acts are illegal and unconstitutional.
They claim that these temples, protected under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, are usually in existence long before local laws used to carry out demolitions were even drafted.
VCD a public document
According to Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar, a copy of the video have been filed as a court exhibit yesterday, in his Dec 18, 2006 suit against the government to halt temple demolitions throughout the country.
"The documentary is expected to be screened during court proceedings. It is now a public document," said Uthayakumar.
The video, which took nearly a half a year and about RM50,000 to produce, is being funded by Hindraf supporters and Hindu devotees.
The documentary can be viewed online at the Police Watch and Human Rights Committee website.
Titled 'Hindu Temple Demolitions by Malaysian Government: The Struggle', the 52-minute documentary with English subtitles is produced by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). Since yesterday, the documentary has been distributed in VCD-format in Batu Caves, where more than a million Hindu devotees are expected to turn up over the weekend to carry out religious rites.
The VCD will also be distributed by volunteers at major Hindu temples in every state in Peninsula Malaysia except Terengganu and Perlis.
Truth on video
"The purpose of the documentary is for people to find out the truth on such demolitions and allow them to draw their own conclusion," said Hindraf president P Waythamoorthy
The footage includes confrontation between authority figures and Hindus trying to prevent their temples from being demolished - one of which results in a devotee being bloodied in a scuffle. The video gives viewers a rare glimpse into how local authorities, sometimes with help from the police, tear down Hindu temples usually on the reason that the structures were 'squatters'.
For more than a year, Hindraf has argued that such acts are illegal and unconstitutional.
They claim that these temples, protected under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, are usually in existence long before local laws used to carry out demolitions were even drafted.
VCD a public document
According to Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar, a copy of the video have been filed as a court exhibit yesterday, in his Dec 18, 2006 suit against the government to halt temple demolitions throughout the country. "The documentary is expected to be screened during court proceedings. It is now a public document," said Uthayakumar.
The video, which took nearly a half a year and about RM50,000 to produce, is being funded by Hindraf supporters and Hindu devotees.
The documentary can be viewed online at the Police Watch and Human Rights Committee website.
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